What is it with these corporations… What makes them think they can “Upgrade” my credit limit (read that, credit risk) without my consent? In 2005 I opened a “Target Red Card” charge account. I did it because they pass money to local schools based on charges made and my daughter is in a supported grade school. We also happen to shop at Target, a lot, and I felt it was worth dipping my toes in. They had two options, a “Red Card” or a “Visa Card.” I opted for the Red Card because it had a smaller credit limit and could only be used at Target. That translates as less temptation to run up big balances. I have faithfully paid off any outstanding balance each month when the statement arrived, and was shocked when my Red Card was declined this weekend when we were checking out. 

     I called the 800 number on the card when I got home and was informed that my account had been “upgraded” to a Target Visa – a card I specifically opted not to get. I have more charge cards than I feel is prudent and I have worked hard to pay off all but one and am working on that one quite diligently. Yet, this corporation feels it can decide what kind of credit risk or overhead I can assume and “upgrades me” without my consent. Yes, I had received the “Target Visa Card” in the mail and shredded it rather than activate it. My Red Card still worked, so I kept using it until Target decided to cancel my Red Card thereby to force me to use the Target Visa.

     These geniuses gave me a $10,000 credit limit and “lower interest” rate with this Visa card. If they were paying attention they might have noted that by paying the balance each month I accrued no interest so I really didn’t care about the interest rate. I did care about $10,000 more of assumable debt! I told the hapless automaton on the telephone that I did not want the Visa card and only wanted the Red Card. He responded by reducing my credit limit to $700 (the same as the Red Card) and telling me, again, how this was a better deal.

     A better deal, huh? How’s this for a deal – cancel the card, close the account and just forget the whole thing. My debit card and one remaining Master Card will work at Target and I can avoid yet another charge card sitting in my safe gathering dust. Afterall, a charge card is only an advantage if you use it carefully and I have learned the hard way how not to use one. In fact, until the last card has a balance of Zero I feel I am still learning that lesson.

     So they can keep their Target Visa Card, I will still shop there, but I will do so on my own terms and with my own money, thank you very much.